About

THE FIRST COMIC BOOK SERIES FROM KYMERA PRESS, WOMAN-OWNED, WOMAN-RUN!

Who’s producing it?

Kymera Press, one of the few woman-owned comic book publishers in the industry.

What do we want money for?

To publish comics that are written and drawn by women, to be loved and cherished by folks of all sexes. We know there’s a lot of talent out there that’s not being tapped because the good ol’ boys have the keys to the treehouse—BUT THE GATES ARE WIDE OPEN AT KYMERA. Our first comic book series is the thriller GATES OF MIDNIGHT, written by acclaimed TV writer Debbie Lynn Smith, drawn and inked by Amelia Woo, lettered by Jessica Jimerson, colored by Mirana Reveier, edited by Valerie D'Oriazio and funded with the hard-earned bucks of two women from the savage hell pits of the TV industry—Debbie Smith and Maggie Field. They agree that TV’s awesome, but comics are better, and they’ve put up the money to start Kymera like the wild women they are. But, just like back in TV Land, they want to pay their talent--all the crazy-creative women who are clamoring to put out the best in comics everywhere—and that’s where you come in. In this crashed economy, who on earth would start a new comic book company? Kymera, that’s who!

Yeah, but what are you funding?

The first four issues of GATES OF MIDNIGHT, a supernatural thriller that pits Raven, a combat medic recently returned from Afghanistan, against creatures from another world, are finished. We want to do four more so we can collect them into a graphic novel.

And after that, NYT bestselling author Nancy Holder, winner of five Bram Stoker awards, wants to scare you silly with Victorian horror adaptations from the bloody pens of those brooding Brontes, Mary “Mother of Frankenstein” Shelley, and…wait for it…Louisa May Alcott!

And then there's a tale of triplet sisters with unusual and unwanted powers that reinvents the ancient Greek myth of the Furies that our editor Valerie D'Oriazio is waiting to bring to life.

So bring out your dead…presidents…and let’s get this party started! Here are our levels and here’s the swag you get, in addition to the best karma money can buy!

REWARDS

Okay, let’s talk about the loot (although you can read all about it in the column to your right!)

$5: Your name will appear on the THANK YOU page in the Graphic Novel!

$15: You will receive Kickstarter-only WALLPAPER from Issue #1 of Gates of Midnight!

$25: DOG TAGS inspired by our heroine, Raven, a combat medic.

$35: Soft cover copy of the Gates of Midnight graphic novel.

$50: Signed print copies of Issues 1-4 of Gates of Midnight

$75: The Graphic Novel of GATES with a VARIANT COVER exclusive to Kickstarter!

$100: Lunar Calendar - This unique, Kickstarter-only, award is a signature piece connected to GATES OF MIDNIGHT. Just like Raven, you’ll be ready for the monsters when they come through the gate at each NEW MOON! Original graphics will enhance illustrations from the comic to make this your preferred calendar for 2015 and a collector’s item forever!

$250: Signed, bound, and illustrated GATES story by Barbara Hambly OR unique hand-crafted NECKLACE by Stacy Archangel (featuring GATES’ characters) OR signed copies of Barbara Hambly’s complete James Asher series of novels.

$500: LIMITED EDITION collection of signed covers and character sketches from GATES Issues #1-8 OR submit your original comic to Kymera Press for possible future publication! D Lynn Smith, Maggie Field, our GATES editor Valerie D’Orazio and TWO OTHER COMICS PROFESSIONALS TO BE NAMED will review your completed comic and provide detailed comments. One – or more – may be published by Kymera Press! Note: a signed release form will be required.

$1,000: 3-D collectible of first Gates’ Graphic Novel VARIANT COVER! When we say 3-D we mean a cover printed on a 3-D printer. Visit here to see what we’re talking about.

$5,000: Your name and/or likeness will appear in a future GATES/Kymera Press project! Note: a signed release form will be required.

STRETCH GOAL

Let's talk about our stretch goals, what we'll do if we can blow through our initial goal:

$75K - Four issues of one of the three projects listed above!

$150K - MORE Gates of Midnight and four issues of ALL THREE of the electrifying projects listed above.

$250K - ALL-WOMEN'S COMIC CON!

We think we’ve told you everything you could want or need to know, but just in case we haven’t, please contact us with any questions. You can reach us here at Kickstarter, or on our website, or on Facebook or Twitter.

We thank you for visiting us here, and hope we’ve entertained, amused or intrigued you. That’s the goal…ALWAYS!

Risks and challenges

Debbie Smith, the creator of GATES OF MIDNIGHT and my partner in Kymera Press, has successfully worked with impossible deadlines throughout her career in television. I, too, am deadline driven and have spent a lot of time ensuring that financial issues wouldn't impact our ability to deliver on what we promise. That's why our goal is as high as it is. We already have two completed issues of GATES; the third is with our colorist; the fourth is with our pencilled/inker; Debbie is writing Issue #5. Our artists are professionals with numerous credits, including Amelia Woo who drew and colored the national ply bestselling graphic novel of Patricia Briggs' MOON CALLED. I KNOW we can deliver the rewards on time, too. In fact, I think we can deliver sooner than I've said we will, because I'd rather impress you by being early than disappoint you by being late. - Maggie Field

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $5 or more
About $5

A digital download of Issue #1 of GATES OF MIDNIGHT! Since it's all done and ready for your enjoyment, you won't have much of a wait to enjoy the thrills and chills laid out in this introductory volume!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $10 or more
About $10

Digital downloads of Issues #1 & #2 of Gates of Midnight! Okay. It's two for the price of two, but it's two times the excitement! And you don't have long to wait to find out what happens next! Two times the fun for you!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $15 or more
About $15

Now we’re cooking! In addition to a hearffelt THANK YOU in our Graphic Novel, we’re going to send you our FABULOUS wallpaper from Issue 1 of GATES (it's on our website, so be sure to take a look! This wallpaper will be available ONLY to YOU, our Kickstarter friends!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $15 or more
About $15

We’re giving you one heck of a ride with THREE – count’em THREE – issues of Gates of Midnight via digital download! Issue #1 introduces you to our principal characters; Issue #2 establishes relationships; Issue #3 mixes terror and laughter in equal measure! Enjoy moments of breathless anticipation; engage with our characters as you get to know them better….and then, start to worry about them…..

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $20 or more
About $20

You’ll know it was worth the wait to have the first FOUR issues of Gates of Midnight via digital download! The first three all build toward the action in Four as it pays of the relationships among the characters and answers (at least some of) the questions you’ve been asking while reading Issues #1-3. Surprises galore!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $25 or more
About $25

You've taken us from FIRED UP with enthusiasm to ON FIRE with gratitude! In addition to seeing your name in our Thank You page in the Graphic Novel AND receiving our fabulous wallpaper, we will send you a set of DOG TAGS inspired by the character of our heroine, Raven Alice Moon, a combat medic who served in Afghanistan!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $50 or more
About $50

If we had tails we'd be wagging them! In addition to appearing on the Thank You page in our graphic novel and receiving our fabulous wallpaper and the Raven Moon-inspired DOG TAGS, you'll receive print editions of Issues 1-4 of GATES OF MIDNIGHT. Sneak peaks will come your way during this campaign and continue until we ship! If you live outside the US, no worries, we'll send you a DRM free download of all four issues.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $50 or more
About $50

We will publish ORIGINAL monster artwork in the “Gates of Midnight” Graphic Novel! Submit your vision of any monster from any mythological source now! Please include a brief description (150 words or less) of its mythological origin(s).

A signed release will be required. Artwork deemed objectionable by Kymera Press will not be published.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $75 or more
About $75

We are pretty well THRILLED right now, so, in addition to appearing on the THANK YOU page in our Graphic Novel, receiving our fabulous wallpaper, the Raven Moon-inspired DOG TAGS and print issues 1-4 of GATES OF MIDNIGHT, you’ll receive the Graphic Novel with a VARIANT COVER available ONLY to our Kickstarter friends!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $100 or more
About $100

We are JUMPING UP AND DOWN with excitement! In addition to receiving the rewards from levels 1-4 you'll receive a one-of-a-kind "Gates of Midnight" LUNAR CALENDAR available only to our Kickstarter friends! This calendar will help you, like Raven, prepare for the arrival of the monsters on every New Moon! Original graphics will be combined with illustrations from the comic to make this your favorite calendar for 2015…and a collectible forever after!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $250 or more
About $250

You're helping us turn the corner in a BIG way and we want you to know how grateful we are. In addition to every reward from Levels 1-4, we're going to send you a LIMITED EDITION original GATES OF MIDNIGHT story by author Barbara Hambly. Although we'll include the story itself in the Gates graphic novel, this unique version will be bound, illustrated and signed by Barb. It's a keeper - a true collectible - and you'll have one of only 25!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $250 or more
About $250

Here’s a very different kind of reward: A LIMITED EDITION NECKLACE that introduces the story of "Gates of Midnight" through the image of one of its characters. To be made by Stacey Arcangel. Check out her website to see what’s in store for you!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $500 or more
About $500

Here’s a reward for any and all aspiring comic book creators: Kymera Press invites you to submit your comic to us as a potential series or graphic novel! Submissions welcome from Women AND Men! They’ll be reviewed by a committee comprised of D Lynn Smith, Maggie Field, our GATES editor Valerie D’Orazio and TWO COMICS PROFESSIONALS to be named. We’ll review, offer detailed comments, and maybe, just maybe, offer to publish YOUR COMIC! (signed release form required :)) )

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1,000 or more
About $1,000

You've made us SO happy; we just want to do the same for YOU! Here's what we're delighted to send you: Reward Levels 1-5 AND a LIMITED EDITION signed collection of all character sketches and covers for Issues 1-8 of GATES OF MIDNIGHT. You'll have plenty of updates between now and the time you receive it, since we can't put pedal to the metal until this campaign successfully funds!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $5,000 or more
About $5,000

You're the very best of the best. No, really, you are THE BEST! And for the best, well, only the best will do! So, in addition our sending you rewards #1-5 above, we will memorialize your backing by incorporating your name,...or your likeness....or both!...in a future Kymera Press comic. Thank you! (signed release form required :)) )